Dynamo stun Union at PPL 2-1 for first-leg win

The Philadelphia Union’s first-ever MLS Cup playoff game was spoiled by another first: the Houston Dynamo’s first-ever victory over the Union. In front of 18,539 fans at PPL Park on Sunday evening, Houston got goals from Andre Hainault and Calen Carr to edge host Philadelphia, 2-1, in a an emotionally charged Eastern Conference semifinal game. Despite a goal from Sébastien Le Toux, the Dynamo will enter the second leg of the series with a one-goal aggregate advantage, thanks in part to a club-record-tying 10 saves by goalkeeper Tally Hall.

The Dynamo were able to sustain an effective attack throughout much of the game, even though the Union employed a five-man backline that included Stefani Miglioranzi making a rare start as a deep central defender for the first half. The visitors silenced the PPL Park crowd in the fifth minute when set-piece maestro Brad Davis, the league’s assist leader, hit a long free kick right to the head of Hainault, who put Houston up 1-0.

A little more than a minute later, the Union found their equalizer. And not surprisingly, it came from the foot of their leading goal-scorer Le Toux, who one-timed a left-footed shot past Hall after receiving a deflected pass from rookie Michael Farfan.

But the Dynamo retook their lead in the 30th minute when Brian Ching’s nifty through ball found Carr, who stayed onside, burst past the Union backline, and slid a shot past Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón.

Houston had chances to extend its lead further, generating good looks on the strength of long balls to the corners, set pieces, and their ability to win balls in the air. In the 22nd minute, Le Toux headed a ball off the goal line after a flurry of Dynamo scoring chances following a corner kick.

The Union had their chances, too, forcing Hall into four saves before the break, with the goalkeeper’s two best stops coming on shots from midfielder Brian Carroll and fullback Sheanon Williams. But heading into the halftime break, Houston held onto its 2-1 lead.

In the second half, the Union employed a more offensive look, first pushing Miglioranzi up to the midfield and then subbing him out for striker Jack McInerney. The hosts nearly tied the game in the 54th minute when Le Toux’s free kick from just outside the box pinged around the box before Danny Mwanga – making his first start since Sept. 10 – pushed a shot wide. During that scrum, the Union called for a Houston handball in the box but did not get the call. Bolstered further by second-half subs Roger Torres and Freddy Adu, the Union pushed hard for the equalizer.

With Philadelphia pushing for the equalizer, Houston nearly scored a third. In the 86th minute, Davis got found himself with a clear look at Mondragón from the edge of the penalty area, but the Union goalkeeper stayed tall and deflected the shot away. Two minutes later, McInerney nearly tied the game when his header hit the crossbar. But despite their push, Philly’s second goal never game, putting the Union in a hole heading to Houston.

The game was a chippy one from start to finish, with Miglioranzi, Williams, Carroll, and Gabriel Farfan all picking up yellow cards for Philly, and Danny Cruz and Adam Moffat being shown yellow for Houston. The second leg of the series continues on Thursday at Robertson Stadium.